Postcards from the Flint Hills

I was invited to a friends ranch in the Flint Hills for the sole purpose of photographing. I had an evening and a morning to work, see, and create. The lone tree which for me, signifies the prairie was the first image I saw, as I walked around looking, composing and photographing I hear, way off in the distance the howling of a pack of coyotes. Oh the prairie serenade. Kept on working 'til about 2 hours after sunset. Then went in to eat After which I was introduced to their calf and horses. It was feeding time. Got up at the crack of early to make it to another part of the ranch before the sun hit the ridge. The light was just beautiful. A herd of cattle to the south of me grazing lazily as they are want to do. I went inside the big old stone barn to explore the light coming through the windows.

Blue Kansas City

A friend and I decided to photograph the Royals Blue on October 27th. We started our blue journey at the Kauffman Performing Arts Center, a place, that even though the images look the same, tends to always fascinate me. A spaceship on the prairie in the middle of the city. Next stop was Union Station. An icon of Kansas City while Sito was looking for the Royals image I went off looking for the people. Found a group waiting for the midnight train. Hunger hit, as we headed to the Plaza, just as we were about to pass Gates, Sito made the quick decision and we quickly turned into the parking lot. Ordered our tasty and incredibly filling finely chopped burnt end sandwiches. mmmmmm good. Off to the JC Nichols fountain. Our prime subject. The wind picked up from the NW, I was not well prepared for the cold, but I soldiered on, how could I not. The beautiful blue and the slow shutter made it all worth while. I hope you enjoy my blue and not so blue. May the Royals win #7.

Beauty of Survival: Krista's fight against breast cancer

It's a journey to say the least. I spent a year with Krista documenting her fight. We began in 2011. She was looking for someone to do a portrait of her with her breast bare.

As we began talking, she asked if I would be interested in documenting her double mastectomy and subsequent treatments, surgeries and life. I said yes. I knew this was going to be a great personal challenge for me.

I witnessed many conditions that come from the treatments, the one most are familiar with is hair loss.

Then radiation. The burn is so intense that her skin would be at close to 100 degrees for days after treatment. Granted treatment consisted of 33 consecutive hits of radiation with a break on weekends and holidays.

1 year portrait. After chemo, radiation, hysterectomy and port removal.

4 months before her 2nd year anniversary, she had the energy to get out and shovel snow.

2 year portrait.

Entering her 3rd year of recovery she met Helen, her life partner. A great thing to happen after the struggle and fight, which she still is dealing with, but now has someone to share with on a daily basis. 3 year portrait.

If you would like to see the complete photo documentary visit MagCloud where you can purchase the book.

Beauty of Survival II

Everyone in some manner has been, is, or will be, affected by cancer. Either, you, a loved one, or a colleague, will be diagnosed. Before I started this project, I knew one person with cancer. When I began documenting Krista’s journey I heard a ten fold of stories. I realized that on any given…